This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/oct/01/jury-sun-journalist-trial-warned-by-judge-certainty

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Jury in Sun journalist trial warned by judge over certainty before verdict Jury in Sun journalist trial warned by judge over certainty before verdict
(about 5 hours later)
The jury in the trial of a Sun journalist accused of paying a police officer for a tip-off has been told they must be sure the reporter knew the sergeant was in breach of his duty when he obtained the information.The jury in the trial of a Sun journalist accused of paying a police officer for a tip-off has been told they must be sure the reporter knew the sergeant was in breach of his duty when he obtained the information.
Judge Gordon told jurors that in order for Vince Soodin to be guilty “you must be sure there was a meeting of minds between him and Sgt [James] Bowes”.Judge Gordon told jurors that in order for Vince Soodin to be guilty “you must be sure there was a meeting of minds between him and Sgt [James] Bowes”.
Soodin, 39, has been charged with conspiring with the Brighton policeman to cause misconduct in public office after he emailed the paper with a story about a child bitten by a fox in 2010.Soodin, 39, has been charged with conspiring with the Brighton policeman to cause misconduct in public office after he emailed the paper with a story about a child bitten by a fox in 2010.
Directing the jury, Gordon explained that a conspiracy was an agreement which did not have to be formal. “It doesn’t have to be in words, let alone in writing,” he told them.Directing the jury, Gordon explained that a conspiracy was an agreement which did not have to be formal. “It doesn’t have to be in words, let alone in writing,” he told them.
“It is not necessary for an agreement to have been in existence when the conduct started, but the conduct must continue after the agreement is in existence and must continue as a result of an agreement, the mere passive receipt of information is not enough,” said Gordon.“It is not necessary for an agreement to have been in existence when the conduct started, but the conduct must continue after the agreement is in existence and must continue as a result of an agreement, the mere passive receipt of information is not enough,” said Gordon.
The judge told jurors that they must put “sympathy to one side” and reach their verdict on the evidence before them.The judge told jurors that they must put “sympathy to one side” and reach their verdict on the evidence before them.
He said in order to find Soodin guilty they must be sure that he knew that Bowes was doing something in breach of his duty to get the information. Soodin has testified that he did not know where Bowes was getting his information.He said in order to find Soodin guilty they must be sure that he knew that Bowes was doing something in breach of his duty to get the information. Soodin has testified that he did not know where Bowes was getting his information.
“For Mr Soodin to be guilty, you must be sure there was a meeting of minds between him and Sgt Bowes that the officer should continue to obtain and supply information that he had access to as a police officer which they both realised would be obtained by him in serious breach of his duty not to disclose confidential information”.“For Mr Soodin to be guilty, you must be sure there was a meeting of minds between him and Sgt Bowes that the officer should continue to obtain and supply information that he had access to as a police officer which they both realised would be obtained by him in serious breach of his duty not to disclose confidential information”.
Referring to whistleblowers, the jurors were also told they had to be sure the officer had no justification or reasonable excuse to pass on the information.Referring to whistleblowers, the jurors were also told they had to be sure the officer had no justification or reasonable excuse to pass on the information.
And they were told that not every breach of duty amounted to the offence of misconduct in public office.And they were told that not every breach of duty amounted to the offence of misconduct in public office.
The jury retired just before lunchtime and told the court that they had not reached a unanimous verdict just before 4pm.
Gordon explained that a majority verdict involved no less than 10 out of 12 agreeing, and when they returned 20 minutes later with no change in their position they were sent home. They will resume their deliberations at 10am on Thursday.
Soodin is the first of 23 journalists charged as a result of Scotland Yard’s Operation Elveden investigation into alleged selling of information to newspapers by public officials.Soodin is the first of 23 journalists charged as a result of Scotland Yard’s Operation Elveden investigation into alleged selling of information to newspapers by public officials.
The trial continues.The trial continues.
• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@theguardian.com or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly “for publication”.• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@theguardian.com or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly “for publication”.
• To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook.• To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook.